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Tributes paid to Martin McGuinness

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Tuesday, 21 March 2017 07:10

QRadio News

Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness has died aged 66.

Tributes are pouring in for the former Sinn Fein leader.

In a statement : Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said: " Throughout his life Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness.

"He was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the reunification of his country.

"But above all he loved his family and the people of Derry and he was immensely proud of both."

Former First Minister and current DUP Leader Arlene Foster said "First and foremost, Martin McGuinness was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and the family circle at this very painful time of grief and loss. 

"History will record differing views and opinions on the role Martin McGuinness played throughout the recent and not so recent past but history will also show that his contribution to the political and peace process was significant.   

"He served the people of Northern Ireland as deputy first minister for nearly a decade and was pivotal in bringing the republican movement towards a position of using peaceful and democratic means."

She continued: "Martin faced his illness with courage and, after stepping away from the glare of the public spotlight I sincerely hope he got the chance to enjoy the things he loved. 

"My sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with the McGuinness family today and I pray that God will draw near to them and sustain them in the days ahead."

Outgoing Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, said "First and foremost, we must recognise the loss to the McGuinness family and I extend my sympathies to them. Like any family they need time and space to mourn.

 "This will also be a very challenging day for victims of the Troubles. I believe no-one needed to die to get Northern Ireland to where it is today.

"Clearly Martin McGuinness very actively disagreed with that analysis, but I also accept in his later years he was on a journey to create change through politics, becoming a pivotal figure at Stormont.

“It would be less than honest if I said other than that I found him a straight-dealing politician in any engagement I had with him.

“History will reflect a complex life story.” 

Prime Minister Theresa May said: "While I can never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the Republican movement away from violence.

"In doing so, he made an essential and historic contribution to the extraordinary journey of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace.

 "While we certainly didn't always see eye-to-eye even in later years, as deputy First Minister for nearly a decade he was one of the pioneers of implementing cross community power sharing in Northern Ireland."

 

 

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